Backcountry Pilot • What batteries are you guys running?

What batteries are you guys running?

Have you modified your aircraft? STC? STOL Kit? Major rebuild from just a data plate?
Post a reply
75 posts • Page 4 of 4 • 1, 2, 3, 4
Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:00 pm

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

It was implied earlier in this thread that a battery need not be TSO'd. After reading the reference provided, I cannot really determine what approval is really required for the battery (it does imply that a non-TSO battery is allowable, but it isn't clear to me what the context is or even relevant).

Does someone here know for sure? I always just assumed it was required.
lesuther offline
Posts: 1429
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 1:26 pm
Location: CO
top
Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:44 am

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

A friend of mine wanted to install an odyssey but he said it would cause problems with his IFR cert. I wasn't sure if it was the non-TSO issue, or something to do with the amp hours (less reserve in case of alternator failure).
hotrod180 offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 10534
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:47 pm
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Cessna Skywagon -- accept no substitute!
top
Sun Jan 20, 2013 2:24 pm

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

Any battery must meet the reserve capability required in the certification for the aircraft. The reserve required is dependent on the electrical equipment installed in the plane. It also is different for CAR 3 vs FAR 23 airplanes. Landing lights draw HUGE current, and the test requires that everything is turned on for the test.

MTV
mtv offline
Knowledge Base Author
User avatar
Posts: 10514
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:47 am
Location: Bozeman
top
Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:01 pm

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

Anyone thinkin' on getting an 787 battery. Boeing may be selling them cheap :lol:
They don't seem to be doing the dreamliner any good, hah.
SkylaneSam offline
User avatar
Posts: 143
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2011 7:38 pm
Location: Puget Sound & Idaho
top
Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:30 pm

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

mtv wrote:Any battery must meet the reserve capability required in the certification for the aircraft. The reserve required is dependent on the electrical equipment installed in the plane. It also is different for CAR 3 vs FAR 23 airplanes. Landing lights draw HUGE current, and the test requires that everything is turned on for the test.

MTV
.

See FAR 23.1353 (3)(h) . It says ~ essential aircraft systems for a period of 30 min if generator fails . They define estential as one nav com radio and 1 transponder and
nav lights. Been there done that with FAA inspectors watching with the SBS-J16 battery going all day and then starting airplane got the Blue stamp in block 3. 8)
182 STOL driver offline
Posts: 1529
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:27 pm
top
Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:08 am

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

182 STOL driver wrote:
mtv wrote:Any battery must meet the reserve capability required in the certification for the aircraft. The reserve required is dependent on the electrical equipment installed in the plane. It also is different for CAR 3 vs FAR 23 airplanes. Landing lights draw HUGE current, and the test requires that everything is turned on for the test.

MTV
.

See FAR 23.1353 (3)(h) . It says ~ essential aircraft systems for a period of 30 min if generator fails . They define estential as one nav com radio and 1 transponder and
nav lights. Been there done that with FAA inspectors watching with the SBS-J16 battery going all day and then starting airplane got the Blue stamp in block 3. 8)


I agree completely. That said, our friendly local FSDO in Fairbanks required us to meet the MAXIMUM load test, which I never understood. Then again, I never understood why we needed a field approval for the battery...... #-o

MTV
mtv offline
Knowledge Base Author
User avatar
Posts: 10514
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:47 am
Location: Bozeman
top
Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:40 am

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

mtv wrote:
182 STOL driver wrote:
mtv wrote:Any battery must meet the reserve capability required in the certification for the aircraft. The reserve required is dependent on the electrical equipment installed in the plane. It also is different for CAR 3 vs FAR 23 airplanes. Landing lights draw HUGE current, and the test requires that everything is turned on for the test.

MTV
.

See FAR 23.1353 (3)(h) . It says ~ essential aircraft systems for a period of 30 min if generator fails . They define estential as one nav com radio and 1 transponder and
nav lights. Been there done that with FAA inspectors watching with the SBS-J16 battery going all day and then starting airplane got the Blue stamp in block 3. 8)


I agree completely. That said, our friendly local FSDO in Fairbanks required us to meet the MAXIMUM load test, which I never understood. Then again, I never understood why we needed a field approval for the battery...... #-o


Ask 1 question of a dozen FAA inspectors and get 2 dozen answers

MTV
182 STOL driver offline
Posts: 1529
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:27 pm
top
Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:41 am

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

So true. :D :x :lol: #-o

MTV
mtv offline
Knowledge Base Author
User avatar
Posts: 10514
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:47 am
Location: Bozeman
top
Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:34 pm

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

No doubt there will be more information coming from the NTSB in the next few months so who knows what they'll report as the true cause of the Li-Ion fires on 787's. However this article from AvWeb is saying overcharging doesn't appear to be the cause:

http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/2420-full.html#208040
blackrock offline
User avatar
Posts: 1576
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:54 pm
Location: Elko, NV
FindMeSpot URL: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... BFmtASxjeV
Aircraft: Bearhawk
top
Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:34 am

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

mtv wrote:....... Then again, I never understood why we needed a field approval for the battery...... #-o MTV


There's got to be some sort of approval, otherwise guys would be installing motorcycle or garden tractor batteries (seen it happen) of unknown quality and capacity.
I bought the SBS J16 version of the odyssey because it was PMA'd & already approved for the PA-18/19, and I figured a field approval for my airplane would be a slam dunk-- which might possibly not be the case with the cheaper and similar-if-not-identical "experimental only" PC680 version.
Speaking of approval, the accepted "standard" battery seems to be the Gill G25/35 series, but I never hear anyone mention getting any sort of special approval for the Concorde RG series sealed batteries. Are they officially approved as a substutite for the Gills?
hotrod180 offline
Supporter
User avatar
Posts: 10534
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2005 11:47 pm
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Cessna Skywagon -- accept no substitute!
top
Tue Nov 26, 2013 12:21 am

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

My Gill G-35 was starting to "sweat" on top, and would drop from 13 to 12.4 volts in 24 hours. Installed an Odyssey 680 today, adjusted the voltage regulator from 13.8 to 14.2, seems to work fine. Some guys are concerned with "reserve capacity", and I'm wondering what is the typical battery drain with the master switch turned on but nothing else switched on? I think the alternator field is the big draw at about 5 amps, and next would be the master solenoid itself at .7 amps, can't think of anything else except an engine instrument or two which would be 'way less than 1 amp.
Karmutzen offline
User avatar
Posts: 711
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:47 pm
Location: Great Bear Rainforest
'74 7GCBC, 26" ABW, Aera 660 feeding G5 and FC-10 FF.
top
Tue Nov 26, 2013 1:52 am

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

I fly uncertified I just replaced the battery in my older S7. The date of installation stamped on the old battery was 1999.. WOW. shocker... I took the battery to the original dealer and asked for a replacement. I received a battery that was made in Korea.. same as my old one, but it weighed almost 4 pounds less. Im fiqureing that there is no way in Hades that this thing is going to last 14 years like the last one. This world is going to shit with the compulsive need for manufactures to give us less for more. This is sort of the equivalent of entropy. The useful service life of the products and devices we use are constantly eroding Eventually everything that we use will be reduced to a very limited useful time span. that the life we enjoy now will be unsustainable.
Sidewinder offline
User avatar
Posts: 340
Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:07 pm
Location: SouthWest Kanada eh?
top
Wed Nov 27, 2013 12:13 pm

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

I have used Gill 35's in my 185 and have had good luck. I do run a trickle charger on it which helps longevity.
bcp2012 offline
User avatar
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:44 pm
Location: San Jose
Aircraft: 1979 Cessna 180K
top
Wed Nov 27, 2013 1:43 pm

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

Sidewinder wrote:I took the battery to the original dealer and asked for a replacement. I received a battery that was made in Korea.. same as my old one, but it weighed almost 4 pounds less.

That's a bit glass-half-empty! You saved weight and got a new battery, well done! =D>
The majority of stuff (worldwide) is made somewhere in Asia now days; 90% isn't too bad, there is some cheaply made rubbish too.
Just be thankful you don't have a certified requirement to put one of those G 35(lb??) boat-anchors in your plane, because you'd be paying a whole lot more for that privilege and probably need an STC to save those 4 pounds! :twisted:
Battson offline
Knowledge Base Author
User avatar
Posts: 1810
Joined: Wed May 09, 2012 11:19 pm
Location: New Zealand
Aircraft: Bearhawk 4-place
IO-540 260hp
top
Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:06 pm

Re: What batteries are you guys running?

Battson wrote:
Sidewinder wrote:I took the battery to the original dealer and asked for a replacement. I received a battery that was made in Korea.. same as my old one, but it weighed almost 4 pounds less.

That's a bit glass-half-empty! You saved weight and got a new battery, well done! =D>
The majority of stuff (worldwide) is made somewhere in Asia now days; 90% isn't too bad, there is some cheaply made rubbish too.
Just be thankful you don't have a certified requirement to put one of those G 35(lb??) boat-anchors in your plane, because you'd be paying a whole lot more for that privilege and probably need an STC to save those 4 pounds! :twisted:


I just looked at my new Battery and it is not what the supplier stated on the phone. It says its made in the PR.O.C I looked that up on Google. Peoples republic of China. Apparently China is re branding itself. I guess "Made in China" has gotten a bad rap. One that is just deserves I say. Yes, I am complaining about 4lbs less weight. Lead acid technology had basically reached is pinocle years ago. Oh, there is gel cell and AGM " Absorbed Glass Matt that have improved the user friendliness but the chemistry is basically the same. Less weight means thinner lead plates which means less longevity and durability.

My old Battery was AGM, Oddessy Batteries are AGM. They are great for high vibration environments.... sounds perfect for airplanes, yes. But Batteries in my past experience are becoming much less durable ,whether they are the certified Concorde or the lawn tractor batteries that use to last me 8 years and now gotta replace every 3 years or so. It's should be no surprise I guess. We need to learn that cheaper is not better when replacement times are getting shorter and shorter.

and now for some hot air alcohol fueled ranting.
..
I just wonder how and why our tolerance for cheap shit Chinese crap that is far more expensive in the long run is going to last. We are making the Chinese the most economically powerful country in the world. They buy our scrap metals turn them into shit quality dishwashers and microwave ovens branded with trusted American brand names such as GE and the stuff can't last 3 years. I have GE appliances from the 90's that still run strong. I know of newer GE appliances that have failed after a few short years and when I contact GE they don't give a rats ass. Ha, and this company manufactures engines for commercial jet liners. Makes me want to have a damned good insurance policy before I travel. The Chinese are laughing all the way to the bank, With all our money, they buy and sell prime North American real estate like it was on a Vegas crap table artificially driving the prices up. It's sickening and I wish we would wake the fuck up!
Sidewinder offline
User avatar
Posts: 340
Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:07 pm
Location: SouthWest Kanada eh?
top

DISPLAY OPTIONS

Previous
Post a reply
75 posts • Page 4 of 4 • 1, 2, 3, 4
Return to Modifications

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

Latest Features

Latest Knowledge Base